7. The importance of citizenship education

A consideration of the issues surrounding the teaching of controversial issues serves only to underline the importance of good citizenship education from an early age.

If children become accustomed to discussing their differences in a rational way in the primary years, they are more likely to accept it as normal in their adolescence.

Citizenship education helps to equip young people to deal with situations of conflict and controversy knowledgeably and tolerantly. It helps to equip them to understand the consequences of their actions, and those of the adults around them.

Pupils learn how to recognize bias, evaluate argument, weigh evidence, look for alternative interpretations, viewpoints and sources of evidence – to give good reasons for the things they say and do, and to expect good reasons to be given by others.

Young Citizens is aiming to raise £30,000 this year, through appeals, donations, and sponsored events, to celebrate its 30th birthday - every penny of the money raised will be spent on helping young people become confident, active citizens.

Young Citizens is aiming to raise £30,000 this year, through appeals, donations, and sponsored events, to celebrate its 30th birthday - every penny of the money raised will be spent on helping young people become confident, active citizens.

Young Citizens helps young people to become active, engaged and motivated citizens by improving their understanding of the law, their rights and responsibilities and by helping them to engage in democratic society through social action. Each year Young Citizens work supports 250,000 children and young people.

Would you like a free trial pack of lessons to support pupils' SMSC learning?
This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Plastic Pollution" and "Taking Responsibility" for KS1 children and the lessons "Democracy" and "Protecting Local Habitats" for KS2 children.

Here, we give teachers a little support for debating the topic in class with students. Do young people of this age know enough about politics yet? And if they could vote, can they be trusted to do it sensibly?

Would you like some free lessons to help you develop KS1 children's SMSC learning?
This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Plastic Pollution" and "Taking Responsibility"

Our CEO tells of his own recent experience of using the law to protect his rights, and explains why basic legal understanding is vitally important for all young people, if they're to be confident young citizens.
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